Seventy years ago, 133 airmen of 617 Squadron, later known as the Dambusters, set out to destroy the Ruhr Dams in Germany. This one operation amongst many carried out by Bomber Command has become one of the most well known in the whole history of WWII. Indeed, a very successful film was made about it which became a classic, etching the dramatic events of the Dambuster raids in the minds of young and old alike. The book covers every facet of this enthralling episode. It also works as a poignant tribute to the 53 men who were killed on the operation, as well as the men who returned from the operation but were later killed on further sorties with 617 and other squadrons. Cooper brings together various narrative threads, focussing on stories recorded in document form and acquired on a first-hand basis to give a real insight into the daily operations of the squadron.

A well known aviation historian, particuarly in Bomber Command in WWII has written has written a number of books, including: ' The Men Who Breached the Dams', 'Beyond The Dams To the Tirpitz', 50th Annivesary of 617 Squadron the Dambusters, and other works, 'Bombers Over Berlin', the Air Battle of the Ruhr, 'Target Dresden', 'Target Leizpig', 'Free To Fight Again', and 'Air Gunner.' He lives in Hailsham, East Sussex.